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Farewell Brother Preston Roberts

Posted: July 26, 2017

We wish there were a different reason for this message. We wish we could walk away from writing it. And yet, we are humbled and honored to know just how many hearts this sad news will break, for it speaks to the power a single good man can have in this world.

On July 24th, 2017 at 3:30pm, Preston James Roberts passed peacefully away in the arms of his wife Kathleen, surrounded by family and loved ones. Preston had a large inoperable tumor on his liver that obstructed the flow of blood and oxygen to his organs and body. The change was rapid and outpaced any treatment -- just three weeks ago he was teaching at Boys Camp. While the suddenness of his departure is shocking, we draw some consolation from the fact that his last days were full of family and friends instead of drawn-out suffering.

There is no replacing a human life, and the specialness of Preston as teacher, mentor, builder, friend, artist, elder, inspiration, dancer, leader, and solid rock foundation leaves a chasm in our community. Preston was as practical as he was creative, and over any abyss he would find a way to build a bridge whose quality was matched only by its beauty. He lived for summer camp, and his life and spirit are infused all over Turtle Island, in the buildings, the ceremonies, the land, and the misty mountain air itself. Help us build a bridge and honor his life by ensuring that Turtle Island camps continue far into the future, whether that means lighting a candle on December 24th, sponsoring a camper, or lending a hand in one of the many building projects Preston had planned for the upcoming year.

Preston's family is currently planning burial and memorial services, and we will reach out with more information as it develops. In the meantime, please consider supporting Preston's family in their time of grief.

We leave you with Preston's words from this past year's holiday message to campers:

"It's cold this morning, the sun is just peeking its head above the mountain. I wonder what it is like at Morning Watch this morning? I wish I was there, this moment, curled in a thick wool blanket, watching the light, birds, and in my minds eye I am there, with you and the others that have carried your stone and placed it in that sacred circle of stones. In my minds eye I can sail through the trees, past the tree-house, classroom, the gazebo and your shoes, over the patch on the barn roof, over the spot we plan to build a traditional carpentry shop, sweeping high into the cold air alongside a raven, looking at the place we love below and wishing for it to continue forever..."

Comments

Poor Eustace will have to go on without his close friend and business partner. I feel so badly for him and will miss seeing Preston's bright blue eyes on Mountain Men. So very tragic....my heart goes out to all of you on Turtle Island.

I just attempted to watch My Mountain Men program. I catch up on the shows come Saturdays, I feel speechless, how shocked I am to have seen the clip of Eustace & PrestonJamesRoberts
In Memory.
It flashed so fast, I couldn't have seen it correctly!
I even looked the information up,
This cant be real, Eustace with Preston, they just built a table together, they're going to start more wood working, creating pieces of furniture!!,
It's all true!
What a huge shock!
Preston is gone!
May He RIP.
With my deepest heartfelt sympathies I say to His family, I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Your loved one will not be forgot.
Eustace, I can't even begin to imagine your pain this loss of your best friend must be unbareable.

I pray for you all, as I realize he's left All of us and is now in the Glory of Heaven, At Peace, no suffering,no pain

We will all miss him, May you RIP Preston you'll not be forgotten, Amen
Love Out Loud

It was with great sadness to hear about Preston's demise. He was so loved on the show, so smart and mellow, yet what an impact he made. It's not going to be the same. Condolences to his family, and all of his loved ones. RIP Preston.

So saddened and sorry to hear of Prestons passing. Though only knew him from the show I feel that he was one of those rare individuals who brought light and joy to the world. Condolences to his family, his friends, to hose who loved him and those who enjoyed his wit, wisdom and skills.

Our prayers and love for the family and friends, and Mountain Men viewers, at the sudden passing of Preston. We came to 'know' him watching our favorite show over the years. We've all been blessed by his spirit.
May God Bless each life he touched.

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to Mr. Robert's family and friends. I appreciated his knowledge and skills as I watched he and Eustace work their many endeavors on Mountain Men. My family and I will also miss him. He touched many people that he never met or knew. May God bless.

As a child of The Wilkes County Mountains, now living far away, Preston and Eustace brought back memories of my childhood and the work of my grandparents. I looked forward to each episode as if I were watching and listening to my family in my mountain home. My deepest condolences to the people who really knew and loved him. May God Bless and keep you all.

I always enjoyed watching episodes that included Preston and Eustace. Preston was always sold spoken and very wise. I will truly miss him on Mountain Men. All my best to Preston's family and Eustace Conway.

We are so sorry to hear of this news. We have watched the show Mountain Men from the beginning and have always considered Eustace and Preston our favorites, their friendship touched our hearts. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to his wife, children, family, his friend Eustace and members of the crew and their loss is heartfelt and they will be in our prayers.

Kathy and I were saddened at the news of Preston's passing. We enjoyed him in the program "Mountain Men". He added so much to the program. We will miss him but will not forget him. Every new episode of "Mountain Men" that we watch we will think of Preston and his family.

My sincere condolences to the Roberts family. I have enjoyed watching the show, Mountain Men since it first began and loved watching Preston and Eustace bouncing problem solving techniques off one another. Thanks for the memories.

I was stunned to hear of Preston's passing. What a truly amazing man. It was always so amazing to watch him and Eutice come up with these amazing techniques and rememedies for almost any problem. Never one to show anger a true gentleman!! A huge loss for all of us her on earth!!

Feels like time just stopped. We just finished watching our DVR recording of Mountain Men and was so surprised to see the "In Memory Of Preston James Roberts". Quickly grabbed I-Pad to verify this. So sad that it's true. God Bless his family and Eustace. The show will never be the same. He made the show so interesting and educational for so many.
R.I.P. Preston

We have watched Mountain Men from the beginning and Preston was such a wonderful friend and wonderful man. We are shocked and saddened to hear of his very quick and sudden passing. So glad that he didn't suffer long and was surrounded by his family and friends who loved him. We will definitely be praying for all his family, and for Eustace, who we know is grieving deeply as well!

Always sad when a friend, and lived one passes. I only knew Preston through watching Mountain Men. He always seemed to be the "voice of practicality, it caution, when Eustace was in a project. I will pray for him and his family. Just won't be the same for the Mountain Men program. I hope Eustace carries on, and continue with his appearance on MM. But would certainly understand why it would be difficult to do it without his right hand man!
RIP Preston...